IPL 2018: 3 players who can replace Steve Smith if he doesn't play the tournament

#1 Jonny Bairstow, England

Bairstow has been in scintillating form in white ball cricket

One of the most improved batsmen in recent times, Jonny Bairstow, especially with the kind of form he's in, can lit up the IPL this year.

A regular in the longer format of the game and with Jos Buttler as the specialist keeper in white ball cricket, Bairstow had to earn his spot as a specialist batsman, which he has ably done with a prolific 2017/18 season which culminated with a record-smashing hundred (104 off 69 balls) against New Zealand.

In a move that raised eyebrows, Bairstow (Base Price 1.5 crores), was overlooked in the 2018 IPL auctions but if he does get selected, it might prove to be a golden chance for the Yorkshire man to prove his worth as a T20 powerhouse.

T20I Career Stats: Matches: 23; Runs: 329; Avg: 25.31; 50s/100s: 2/0; S/R: 120.07